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Glite Dictionary
anapestic

anapestic

1 9.9
Having two weak syllables followed by one strong syllable
  • adjective
  • /ˌænəˈpɛstɪk/
  • Literature
: anapéstico
  • In poetry, anapestic meter creates a rhythmic and flowing quality to the verses.

Examples

  • Many humorous poems utilize anapestic lines to enhance their playful tone.

  • If you listen carefully, Best Beloved, and pay very close attention, you will note that what you're hearing is two lines of anapestic tetrameter with a trimeter line to close.

    Academic text (2003)

  • Are they anapestic, as Saintsbury insisted?

    Academic text (2016)

  • The phrase 'I cannot lie' can be written in anapestic form for a more lyrical effect.

Surface Forms

anapestic positive

Morphology

anapestic = anapest (transparent) = anapest + ic

Standard adjectival formation from the noun 'anapest' using '-ic' to mean 'relating to anapest', so the relation is directly derivable.

Etymology

The word anapestic comes from the Greek prefix ana- meaning 'up' or 'back' and from the poetic name anapest for a small rhythmic 'step'. So an anapestic line has two short, weak sounds followed by one strong sound — like two light steps and a final heavy step, which gives a galloping, bouncing feeling.